Day of issue of the commemorative stamp in the church series, "100-year anniversary of the consecration of the New Cathedral Linz"
Neo-Gothic masterpiece
The subject of the series "Churches in Austria" is the New Cathedral in Linz. It was completed 100 years ago and is one of Austria's most significant neo-Gothic architectural monuments.
In 1862, under Bishop Franz Joseph Rudigier, the cornerstone was laid for the new church, which was intended to accommodate all of Linz's approximately 20,000 residents at the time. The construction, according to the plans of the cathedral master Vincenz Statz, was financed solely by donations. After the construction of the crypt and the votive chapel, the presbytery followed, then the tower. Only from 1902 were the nave and the transept erected. After 62 years of construction, the New Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, was consecrated on April 29, 1924. It is the largest church in Austria in terms of area, but about two meters lower than St. Stephen's Cathedral in Vienna. In addition to its function as the episcopal see of the Diocese of Linz, the cathedral is also a parish church and is used for cultural events.
The New Cathedral is an architectural masterpiece. Especially impressive are the numerous stained glass windows in the cathedral, which, in addition to religious motifs, also depict scenes from Linz's history and from the cathedral's construction. The high altar, a 15-meter-high canopy altar with a gilded cross and mosaic decorations, was designed by Vincenz Statz and executed in 1901, as was the choir stalls. In 2017, the sanctuary was redesigned and a raised altar island was created in front of the historic high altar, surrounded by rows of benches.
Quote from Bishop Manfred Scheuer
"The New Cathedral is home for the faithful of the cathedral parish and emblematic for the Church in Upper Austria; it is a place of rest for seekers and restless souls, a place of prayer and contemplation, an impressive sight for tourists, and a unique backdrop for concert-goers and musicians on the cathedral square," said Bishop Manfred Scheuer about the significance of the cathedral. The structure impresses with its dimensions, its architectural beauty, and its special atmosphere. In a time of change and upheaval, amidst the hustle and bustle of the city, the New Cathedral conveys permanence, reliability, and stability. At the same time, the tower reaching into the sky points beyond people to something greater, according to the bishop.
When?
27 April 2024, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Presentation at 11:00 a.m.
Where? New Cathedral Linz, Herrenstraße 26, 4020 Linz
Group pictures: Bild 1
Picture of presentation: © Mariendom, Haidinger
Group picture, left to right: Bishop em Maximilian Aichern, Wilhelm Remes (President, Philately Association St. Gabriel), Johann Hintermaier (Epicscopal Vicar), Bishop Manfred Scheuer (Diocesan Bishop of Linz), Kirsten Lubach (stamp artist), Josef Pühringer (former Governor, President of the Advisory Board of the initiative Pro Mariendom)
